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75. This morning I had an interview with the Foreign Minister. Mr.
Hirota referred, on his own initiative, to the subject of the Amau

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statement regarding the attitude of Japan toward foreign assistance to
China, and said that he wished to clarify that statement to me in
confidence. He told me that under questioning by newspaper men, Amau had
given out the statement without his knowledge or approval, and that the
world had received a wholly false impression of Japanese policy, that
Japan had no intention whatever of seeking special privileges in China,
of encroaching upon the territorial and administrative integrity of
China, or of creating difficulties for the bona fide trade of other
countries with China. Various foreign activities have tended to disturb
peaceful conditions in China, and Japan is naturally very much
interested in those peaceful conditions owing to her nearness to China.
But that does not mean that there is any intention or desire on the part
of Japan to claim a privileged position in derogation of the rights and
responsibilities to which the signatories of the Nine-Power Treaty are
entitled. The policy of Japan is complete observance and support of the
provisions of the Nine-Power Treaty in every respect.

The insistence by the Chauvinists upon a more aggressive foreign policy,
Mr. Hirota said, makes his position difficult. For his own part he is
trying to follow the policy of the Emperor, with whom he is constantly
in touch, and is seeking to achieve with all countries, and especially
with the United States, relations of friendliness. He intends to do his
best to bring to a successful conclusion the negotiations with Russia
for the purchase of the Chinese Eastern Railway. If that controversy can
be settled, there should be better relations between Russia and Japan,
which would in turn tend to include better relations between China and
Japan. This whole constructive policy of the Emperor and the Government
would obviously be impeded if Japan should now seek special privileges
in China. Mr. Hirota said that he has managed thus far to satisfy both
the Liberals and the Chauvinists, and that, since he has the Emperor's
support, he will continue resolutely in his course even though that
should mean his own death. He added also that the Minister of War
supports him fully.

Mr. Hirota went on to say that attempts are constantly being made by
certain foreign influences, through the press and by other means, to
make trouble for Japan. It was his earnest hope that the United States
Government should have a perfect understanding of his attitude toward
Amau's statement, but he requested that his remarks to me be treated as
confidential since his position was difficult. In conclusion, the
Minister said that our Government may rest assured that Japan will take
no action in China purposely provocative to other

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countries or contrary to the terms or spirit of the Nine-Power Treaty. I
do not question the sincerity of the Minister's remarks as reported
above. Nevertheless I made the observation that the Government and
people of the United States would be less impressed by statements of
policy than by more concrete evidence.

I was told by the Minister that a similar explanation will be made to
you by Saito. The Minister is to receive the British Ambassador at 3 o'clock.

Rumors are reported in the United Press that the Department will
instruct me to ask for a clarification of the statement by Amau. Unless
I receive supplementary instructions, however, I shall assume that the
present telegram answers the Department's inquiry.